Last week, the free Sirius in a newish (to me, at least) car ran out and I was blessed with the opportunity to listen to a whole bunch of FM stations. They still make those (I promise) and they still employ people (I think) and Taylor Swift can be found on approximately 93% of them at any given time (I’m positive). With that small sample size, which feels super large actually, here’s how I’d rank them. Just one man’s opinion. Feel free to disagree, yell at me, or tell me I’m an idiot for not streaming Pandora or Spotify, the latter of which is apparently the only way to escape Ms. Swift. (92.3 FM The Fan not included because it’s sports and no one in their right mind should listen to sports talk radio.)
1. 91.1, CWRU
2. 88.7, John Carroll
3a. 88.3, Baldwin Wallace
3b. 89.3, CSU
4. 87.7, La Mega (it’s fucking fun, folks)
5. 99.5, WGAR
6. 99.1, WMMS2
7. 90.3, WCPN
8. 96.5, WAKS (if only for 15 minutes at a time)
9. 107.9, WENZ
10. 105.7, WMJI
11. Sitting in complete silence no matter how long the drive is
12. 104.1, WQAL
13. 100.7, WMMS
14. 94.9, WQMX
15. Singing “Shake It Off” to yourself even though you only know the chorus
16. 98.5, WNCX
17. 106.5, WHLK
18. Calling your mom while driving and feeling guilty for the rest of the day that you don’t call her more
19. 102.1, WDOK
20. 97.5, WONE
This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 4, 2014.
CSU is 89.3
agree. the college stations have the best variety and have the fewest repeats. i would rank 88.7 as #1, and 88.3 #2.
Alan Cox Show is horrible
91.1…isn’t it WRUW? College Stations blow away the commercial stations with ease
93.7
If you ain’t working some sports talk in there on 92.3 we would like your Cleveland card back please.
Where’s WCLV?
Z 107.9 should be number one
Proud as can be of my station (WRUW 91.1 FM) making the top of the list!
I feel like 93.1 got shafted on this list.
check out the facebook group LEFT OF THE DIAL CLEVELAND we promote programming on college radio as well as events and artists in Cleveland’s underground music scene.
College radio listener since 1982. Cleveland has THE BEST college radio stations. These stations have been and continue to be instrumental with supporting original bands and the local music scene as well.
College Radio rules the airwaves in CleveOh! Btw it is WCSB 89.3
Get With It Cleveland Radio….. Prime Stations SHOULD BE Worth listening to… They Are Not… What the hell do you think the Musicians that visit here listen to? Not The Local Stations… and we have the Rock Hall here …. Sooo We should and HAVE Cool radio stations…. Stop damn thinking of it as Money Only… and PLEASE Think Of The MUSIC…. We have so many Great People here in Cleve who Know what to Play on stations ….
Please take Advantage Of These People and The Listeners.
I’d put WCSB above WRUW, but it’s a close tie.
hmmm. guess you should have tried 95.5 the fish? You might like it
I agree…although it’s Akron, stream 93.1 the Summit. No commercials and great playlists of a magical variety.
98.1 isnt too bad, better than 96.5.
98.1 is out of Akron, but it comes in clear on Cleveland’s eastside burbs. But really it all sucks that we don’t have good stations. Good rock, alternative, indie rock channel. Thanks Clear Channel, you guys suck.
After driving across the country, I can honestly say Cleveland radio is the absolute worst if you are a rock/metal fan. This town is stuck on classic rock bullshit. I’m 50 and think it’s horrible.
no 107.3 The Wave? i call bullshit. Also 89.7 is a better NPR then 90.3 Dee Perry is not that good.
I would just like to say that I am completely disappointed with the DJs on 99.1. Remember when 92.3 was alternative rock? Like, REAL alternative rock? Not the pop mix-up 99.1 claims to be alternative. That was good radio. Also, WNCX is great.